NEIGHBORS STILL STAY ACTIVE DESPITE PANDEMIC

Groups work on community issues without events

Neighborhood groups groaned earlier this year when they had to cancel inperson events and move their meetings to online-only sessions.

Now some of them like meeting virtually, so much so that several said they may keep some online components to their interactions, even when the COVID-19 threat is gone.

“It’s a lot easier to schedule meetings and prepare for the meetings virtually,” said Oak Park resident Richard Diaz. “You don’t have to set up tables and chairs or secure a space to meet.”

Recently, a handful of Mount Hope residents armed with ideas about ways to improve their singlefamily neighborhood in southeastern San Diego logged into a virtual meeting.

For nearly two hours more than 10 residents talked about community needs — jobs, affordable housing, access to healthy foods — and proposed some projects to address those issues.

The new group plans to continue the discussion virtually in January.

Residents of Mount Hope are not alone in their efforts.

Across San Diego, neighbors are continuing to advocate for their communities through town councils, planning groups and associations, despite not being able to hold in-person meetings.

The town councils and groups stopped meeting in person about April and over subsequent months transitioned to online-only meetings because of COVID-19 related restrictions on public gatherings.

It has been a trial and error process for some, but it hasn’t stopped groups from getting work done. Neighborhood groups have continued to engage with people by providing meals to those experiencing food insecurity and organizing clean-ups.

“People are looking for more connection and things to get involved with,” said Lisa Johnson, a Clairemont resident.

Johnson volunteers for several organizations in her community and this year helped start a group focused on canyon fire safety.

She said people have been eager to join the group because people still want to stay active in their neighborhoods. The group has seven active community members and three on its board.

“People are still interested, active and show up for meetings even though people, especially working professionals, have Zoom fatigue,” Johnson said.

Many neighborhood group leaders said they plan to keep a virtual component to their communications even if they move back to meeting in-person.

Diaz, who is president of the Oak Park Community Council, has been involved in the neighborhood in the southeastern part of the city for years.

He leads monthly meetings to discuss resident concerns. The transition to online meetings was not easy at first.

“I had troubles doing the share screen,” Diaz said.

It has become a useful tool over the last eight months, he said.

The community council is still drawing active participation from residents, he said; a recent meeting had 30